The Spanish Ministry of the Interior has decided to dismiss Antonio José Royo Subías, who was recently appointed head of the National Police division in Lleida. The reason for his dismissal is the recent revelation of a criminal conviction for sexual harassment, which had not been previously disclosed.
Royo Subías, 63, was appointed to the post last December. However, soon after taking office, it emerged that in 1999 he had been found guilty of harassing a subordinate. The court ruled that he pressured a female employee for sexual favors and engaged in inappropriate behavior, including slapping the woman on the buttocks.
For this offense, Royo Subías was fined 1,080 euros and ordered to pay 3,000 euros in compensation to the victim. Despite the conviction, he continued to serve in the police and was even promoted to the rank of commissioner in 2017.
The scandal erupted after details of his past became public. The Ministry of the Interior responded promptly, deciding to immediately remove Royo Subías from his post. The agency stressed that it will not tolerate such cases among the senior police leadership.
This incident sparked widespread public outcry and raised questions about the vetting procedures for candidates for senior positions in law enforcement agencies. The public is debating how someone with such a past could hold such a responsible post, calling for stricter oversight in appointments.
